Melissa Vigar
Executive Director
Carrie MacKinnon
Group Facilitator
Carrie has many years of experience providing case management, assessment and support to adults living with the effects of an acquired brain injury. She recently attained her Master of Social Work degree and is a Registered Social Worker. Through a client and family focused approach, Carrie works to promote independence, engagement, and an improved quality of life for those suffering from an ABI.
Outside of work, Carrie is a busy mom of 3. She enjoys the outdoors spending time walking her Boxer, Indie, hiking and camping in the summer with her family. She also enjoys spending time in the kitchen with her daughters.
Julie Notto
Programs and Services Coordinator / Peer Support Coordinator
Julie has a post graduate certificate in adult mental health and over 10 years experience in the non-profit sector developing health and education programs for youth, adults and their families. Julie channels her passion for education and advocacy into developing programs that support individuals, and their families, dealing with physical and mental health issues to improve their quality of and zest for life.
Outside of the office you can find Julie cycling through the city, playing basketball and making short films with her two boys and walking their sweet labrador retriever Starr.
Meri Perra
Communications and Event Coordinator
Meri Perra has several years of experience connecting people to resources, through her former position at Find Help Information Services. Since leaving Findhelp, she earned a diploma in journalism, worked as a contributor and assistant editor for an online parenting magazine, and held a position as a news and sports editor for a digital media company.
You can often spot Meri riding around town in her massive cargo bike with her two daughters (wearing helmets of course!). She enjoys volunteering at her kids’ school and housing cooperative, and fits in power yoga in her spare time. Her new favourite past time is playing Crazy 8s with her family – a game she (re)-learned at the BIST Social Drop In!